The plow, the paint and the pipes

One of Robert Hacunda’s canvases.

Northern Ulster’s lands undulate, while Northern Dutchess’ lay themselves more flatly. It is in these flatlands of Red Hook, on 227 Pitcher Lane in the country part of the town, where one finds Greig (not Grieg, for the love of God) Farm. One of the earliest adopters of the agritourism concept in these parts, the Greigs have survived where their neighbors up and quit.

One of the latest things at the farm, in a highly utilitarian space built back in 1956, is Farm Salon, An Artists Collect-Ive, a series of showings of local artists. A child of the brain of Rose Blum, the endeavor currently, through early January, showcases the works of Maribeth Blum Tuton, Joel Griffith (who moonlights as the mayor of Tivoli — really), Robert Hacunda, Patrick Lazarus, Peter Mauney, Wilfredo Morel, Rochelle Redfield and Francie Soosman. The paintings run the gamut from whimisical to deeply visually lyrical, to the precisely more-real-than-real. They run another gamut in size: Hacunda’s modestly priced miniatures are sufficiently compact to allow literal stuffing in stockings. Morel’s found-steel sculptures particularly resonated on a recent viewing — their utter original unpretentiousness of being forged to work the farm seemed highlighted and glorified by the artist’s vision and touch.

The exhibit ends January 7 and is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. or, naturally, by appointment. The farm market next door is open and serves breakfast and lunch along with its copious offerings of local farm products and produce. For complete artists bios, images and interesting stuff about Greig (not Grieg!) Farm, visit farmsalon.wordpress.com.